Lately I have been researching English folk music and found this absolute gem ! Johnny Flynn (aka Joe Flynn - actor/playwright) and his band - The Sussex Wit have produced one of the freshest and enjoyable albums I have heard in years !

The eleven tracks on this album are all good with The River duet with his pal Laura Marling being the highlight. The true English brogue style of folk singing shines througout on most tracks. The standouts are Churlish May, Barnacled Warship and Howl...heck the whole album is a standout !

Now hopefully Mr. Flynn can successfully balance his acting career with his music....only time will tell ! A very talented lad who writes his songs and plays a National guitar ! I hope he chooses to concentrate on his music !

A refreshing approach to modern folk rock ! Flynn is rated as the least commercial of Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale which isn't a bad thing in my humble estimation.

AllMusic rated this as 3/5 but since this album woke me up, got my complete listening attention, moved me and cheered me up I will ungrudgingly give it 5/5 although I have to get used to the sound of three tracks that feature a trumpet as a folk song accompanying instrumment.. but this minor flaw doesn't hinder my praise for Been Listening especially since I've been listening to a lot of mediocre albums lately !!!!!

" WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT HAPPINESS WAS THE KEY TO LIFE. WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL, THEY ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP. I WROTE DOWN "HAPPY". THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT AND I TOLD THEM THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND LIFE."

Completely different to anything I usually listen to - I met a guy called Joe O'Donnell recently who used to be in East of Eden back in the 70s. I also saw him play and he is a incredible violinist! Been listening to his album - Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla, am really liking it.

I remember East Of Eden back in 70 when they had a single in the UK charts Jig-a-Jig!

Nice to be able to go back to trust and friendship!!!!!!!!!

It's a mixed up sensation this being alive
Oh! it wears a man down into the ground
It's the strangest elation
I can't describe it
Oh it leaves a man weary
It makes a man frown..............................Chris Simpson ( "Mixed Up Sensations" 1975 Martin's Cafe )

One of Gryph's recommendations for late night listening ! Brilliant acoustic instruments, vocals and melodies.

" WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT HAPPINESS WAS THE KEY TO LIFE. WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL, THEY ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP. I WROTE DOWN "HAPPY". THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT AND I TOLD THEM THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND LIFE."

" WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT HAPPINESS WAS THE KEY TO LIFE. WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL, THEY ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP. I WROTE DOWN "HAPPY". THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT AND I TOLD THEM THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND LIFE."

New Riders of The Purple Sage - New Riders of The Purple Sage

I've been drawn to this through my love of Grateful Dead music, since this was a more countryish outlet for Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, & Phil Lesh from the Dead.

They were all playing a backing role, and Garcia was indulging his love for playing the Lap Steel, as there wasn't much call for it in his day job. After this album, the Dead members returned to their main band, whilst the NROTPS continued without them for a number of years.

This is Country Rock skewed to the Country end of things, like frinstance The Flying Burrito Brothers/Gram Parsons.

Very good album, and there's an interesting Country take on The Band's The Weight.